Liverpool’s five best moments against Manchester United at Anfield

This Is AnfieldWe are an independent LFC fans website, online since 2001. The two of us attend every home game and most aways, regulars since the 90s. Max is a season ticket holder in the Centenary Stand, Matt attends most home games in The Kop.Thursday 10 Mar 2016 8:00 am

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Fernando Torres terrorised Manchester United in his Liverpool days (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield tonight for the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie, with the Reds no doubt keen to impose their dominance at home, ahead of a return leg at Old Trafford next week.

Remarkably, this is the first time Liverpool and United have met in European competition, but as bitter rivals in English football, this is just one in a long line of fiery clashes between the two.

Anfield has played host to a number of exciting contests against United, with Liverpool enjoying great success against the Red Devils at home.

Here are Liverpool’s five best moments against United at Anfield from the Premier League era.

1) Reds claw back in style, January 1994

It is rare that Liverpool supporters will celebrate a draw against United, but with a dominant Red Devils taking a 3-0 lead after 23 minutes at Anfield in 1994, their fight back was worthy of adulation.

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Two goals from Nigel Clough gave Liverpool hope, before Neil Ruddock powered home an equalising header with 11 minutes to spare – the joy on Jamie Redknapp’s face spread around the Kop.

2) Two-goal Owen shines, November 2001

While the 1980s saw Liverpool reign, United have spent much of the Premier League era above their rivals.

But a brace from Michael Owen – sandwiching a trademark, thunderbolt free-kick from John Arne Riise – gave the Reds a landmark 3-1 victory, on their way to finishing three points ahead of United come May.

2001/02 is the only season Liverpool have done so since the Premier League began.

The comeback against United was a highlight of Nigel Clough’s time at Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)

3) Crouch ends United’s FA Cup dominance, February 2006

Prior to this FA Cup clash, Liverpool hadn’t defeated United in the tournament in 85 years, but with Peter Crouch’s early header giving Liverpool a simple 1-0 win in the fifth round, the Reds broke this streak.

4) Torres destroys Vidic, October 2009

Throughout his time in the Premier League, Nemanja Vidic established himself as one of the English top flight’s greatest ever centre-backs.

But the Serbian had one weakness: Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard scored the opener in this 2-0 league win, with a frustrated Vidic receiving his marching orders for two yellow cards in the dying moments.

5) Dirk Kuyt’s hat-trick, March 2011

Jurgen Klopp will be hoping Liverpool can prove their big-game credentials against United on Thursday night, but the German would no doubt cherish a match-winner like Dirk Kuyt among his current crop.

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Inspired by the majestic Luis Suarez, Kuyt scored three goals from a combined total of seven yards from the goal-line, punishing United’s slack defending with ruthless finishing – a true winner.